Islamabad, October 17, 2025 – The weekly inflation rate in Pakistan, measured through the Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI), increased by 0.49% over the previous week, mainly driven by a sharp rise in tomato prices, according to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) on Friday.
The SPI is compiled on a weekly basis to monitor short-term price movements of 51 essential commodities from 50 markets across 17 major cities of the country. The latest report for the week ending October 16, 2025, reflects notable fluctuations in food and household items.
Significant price hikes were observed in Tomatoes (33.20%), Onions (8.70%), Eggs (2.18%), Wheat Flour (1.42%), and Garlic (0.85%). Prices of Vegetable Ghee, Potatoes, Firewood, LPG, and Washing Soap also recorded minor increases.
Conversely, the prices of Chicken (–6.38%), Bananas (–4.70%), Pulse Gram (–2.20%), Petrol (–2.09%), and Diesel (–0.55%) declined during the week. Out of 51 items, 24 (47.06%) showed an increase, 8 (15.69%) decreased, and 19 (37.25%) remained stable.
On a year-on-year basis, the SPI rose by 4.57%, with major annual increases in Tomatoes (121.38%), Ladies Sandal (55.62%), Sugar (36.94%), Gas Charges (29.85%), and Wheat Flour (16.92%). However, significant declines were noted in Onions (–33.55%), Chicken (–29.81%), and Pulse Gram (–28.86%).
The PBS noted that the latest inflation surge underscores the impact of food supply disruptions and seasonal variations on essential commodity prices.